Input on Finishes needed

**sanantoniorose** · 04-25-2008, 11:33 AM

I have done furniture refinishing all my life off and on - more off than on- but now that I am really retired I have more time and can do more furniture. I redid two old chests and mistakenly used Polyeurethane as a finish. THREE TIMES I sanded , stained and applied the poly. but each time I got clouds in the finish, sort of looked as if it had a stripper under the finish. The last time I had moved the chests into the room, out of the resurfacing area. I threw away brushes, stains, and poly. Finally, with the dehumidifier running full time, I still got the clouds on a few of the pieces. One chest has only one coat of poly, needs another but I am afraid to apply anothercoat for fear I shall get the clouds again. Should I try putting a second coat of water-based acrylic on top of the clear poly? Should I try another coat of the poly? I now have Cabots oil-based poly and Deft Water-based Acrylac. Help, please

**Johanna** · 04-27-2008, 05:08 PM

It's my understanding that you should not combine water-base finishes with oil-base finishes unless you separate them with shellac. Maybe that's the cause of your problems.

I use shellac (Seal-Cote) as the first coat on almost everything. It sure solves lots of problems.

**19exnursemaid79** · 04-28-2008, 10:15 PM

I have found that for me to get the finish I like, I have stuck with the GENERAL FINISHES products...seal-a-cell, etc. They are sold on several woodworking supply websites. I was sold on it when I watched David Marks woodworking shows several years ago. I switched to those and I love the outcome each and every time. It is tung oil based which I like to use by itself as well. Good luck with your projects. As Johanna said, don't mix the oil base with water based. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

**Barbara Gill** · 04-30-2008, 04:43 AM

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Johanna

It's my understanding that you should not combine water-base finishes with oil-base finishes unless you separate them with shellac. Maybe that's the cause of your problems.

I use shellac (Seal-Cote) as the first coat on almost everything. It sure solves lots of problems.</end quote></div>

On bowls and other turned items that I don't want a color change on or something made from aromatic red cedar I will use a lacquer wash (50%lacquer 50% thinner followed by a water based poly. So far I have not had any problems with compatibility. Have I just been lucky?